Stay Ahead of the Talent Challenge

Let’s face it – running a printing company today isn’t what it used to be. The industry has changed, people change and the rate and pace of how technology affects the business continues to accelerate. If you’re still operating as you were 10 or 15 years ago, you’re certainly feeling the pressure. Talent management used to be about filling roles and providing jobs. Now it’s about building a place where good people want to stay, learn and grow, and make a positive impact. Now it’s about having the best people on your team who understand and can harness these many changes to help you create a competitive advantage for your business.

One observation over these many years is that the best companies don’t wait until they have a hiring problem. They work constantly to make their company a magnet for great people. Here’s what that can look like in practice in four key areas.

Alignment

The best teams aren’t just full of good workers – they’re aligned and pulling in the same direction. Everyone knows where the company is heading and the part they play. There’s a solid playbook! The silos have been flattened. They work together like a well-oiled machine which allows the company to be better, faster and agile.

They don’t just assign tasks but rather talk about goals. Accountability is not a bad word in these companies. Instead, they hold each other accountable to achieve the results they need, not just going through the motions. Interesting in that when people understand the bigger picture, they tend to show up differently.

Agility

Being an agile company isn’t some new phenomenon, but it certainly has risen in popularity these days. With how fast things change in today’s business world, you’ve got to be able to pivot quickly. That works best when you’ve empowered your team, and they don’t always have to depend on you or the other leaders to make a call.

Teaching your staff how to think on their feet and make the decisions that are consistent with your values is a big deal. Provide them with the tools and give them the authority to make smart decisions. When they approach a bottleneck, encourage them to fix it, not just work around it. Agility isn’t a fad – it’s a competitive advantage.

Learning

Create a culture of learning, don’t be a shop stuck in the past. Learning organizations are always looking for ways to improve. That only can happen if you support a culture where learning is expected, supported and celebrated.

Encourage your team to keep learning. These can be lunch and learns where sharing can come from suppliers, customers or your own internal staff. The topics can be on the latest tech, customer trends, cost saving ideas and ways to increase the velocity of the jobs through the shop. Cross-training is a must have for companies today and provides each staff member the opportunity to grow and become a more valuable member of the team. When someone show promise and initiative, make sure they see a path forward in your business.

Best Employer

If you want better talent, make your business the preferred employer in your marketplace. And guess what – that doesn’t always mean that you have to pay the most. You’ve all experienced an employee who left you in search of earning more money – you’ve also witnessed when many of them return.

Treat people with respect, give them a purpose and create that winning culture. People want to feel like they are part of something. Show them how what they do makes a difference and helps your clients to succeed. When you have a winning culture, the good people may be more apt to find you.

The print industry isn’t playing by yesterday’s rules anymore. If you’re clinging to outdated methods while technology races forward and customer expectations continue to morph, you’re fighting an uphill battle. The real game changer? Your people. The successful businesses I see today understand that talent management isn’t just filling the roster seats, it’s about building a workplace where passionate folks want to invest their creativity and problem-solving skills, and drive innovation. When you’ve got a team that embraces change instead of running from it, that’s when you start turning industry challenges into competitive advantages. Invest in your people today in order to thrive tomorrow.

Mike Philie can help validate what’s working and what may need to change in your business. Changing the trajectory of a business is difficult to do while simultaneously operating the core competencies. Mike provides strategy and insight to ambitious owners and CEOs in the Graphic Communications Industry by providing direct and realistic insight, not being afraid to voice the unpopular opinion and helping leaders navigate change through a common sense and practical approach. Learn more at www.philiegroup.com, LinkedIn or email at mphilie@philiegroup.com.

The preceding content was provided by a contributor unaffiliated with Printing Impressions. The views expressed within may not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Printing Impressions.